Curtain call: Movies on Lane summer programming coming to an end in Blissfield
BLISSFIELD — Crowd favorite entertainer Eric the Juggler, along with the assistance from several Blissfield community partners will serve as the opening entertainment Thursday, Aug. 15, for the final Movies on Lane event of the summer — and potentially for good.
Due to proposed budget cuts from the Blissfield Village Council and the potential for restructuring of village-sponsored programming heading into 2025, it is possible that Movies on Lane, a summer tradition in downtown Blissfield since 2018, will be ending after Thursday’s presentation of the 2009 family/adventure animated film “Up.”
When the 2024 Movies on Lane summer series was promoted in May, chairperson Emilie Mullins stated, “Brings your chairs and blankets downtown on the third Thursday each month this summer for Movies on Lane, a free event sponsored by Blissfield DDA Main Street for their seventh and final season.”
The Movies on Lane summer series spans three months — June, July and August — aligning with the summer break from school for students.
Each night before a movie is shown along downtown Blissfield's South Lane Street on a giant, inflatable screen, there is entertainment and movie-themed activities for children starting at 6:30 p.m. The film starts at dusk and continues through the night. Refreshments also are served by community partners and there is a food truck downtown each month. Several of the downtown businesses have extended hours to coincide with Movies on Lane programming.
A rain date, if there happens to be inclement weather Thursday, is scheduled for Aug. 22.
Mullins, who is a volunteer and not a business owner, said she understands the village’s rationale for considering the conclusion of Movies on Lane due to what has been described to her as “there was not enough business going on for the businesses” during the movie programming dates.
The downtown streets are closed to motorists during the afternoon set-up for each event and then reopen well after businesses are closed for the day.
“The types of stores downtown (gone is the candy shop and kids' resale shop) and interests of what the shop owners want to see downtown changed. I understand their point is business,” Mullins said in an email to The Daily Telegram. “But to me there's the part you can't quantify with a dollar amount of increased sales. I have very fond memories of childhood visits to my downtown: shopping the Kline's sidewalk sales in downtown Monroe, having a fresh donut at Paul's bakery, walking to the library and fountain, just seeing all the people.
“And I hope that my efforts over the past seven years have contributed to that sense of community and love for our little place on the map, not only my own children, but all the kids and families in Blissfield who have participated.”
Dress up being encouraged for ‘Up-lifting movie’
Along with the balloons he will be providing, Eric the Juggler is just one of the entertaining acts for Thursday’s edition of Movies on Lane. All activities downtown are free of charge and do not require registration.
“We are encouraging dress up for this ‘Up-lifting movie,’” Mullins said. “... Community partners like Little League Softball, Blissfield Theater Troop and BHS Class of 2026 will be selling refreshments. The Schultz-Holmes Library will have a movie themed craft. We are expecting to have a cute backdrop with balloons from Stitches and Stems that folks can use their own camera for, or we will be printing instant photos if they'd like.”
A token of thanks also will be presented to Ashley Bailey from Bailey Family Chiropractic for her deciding to start a downtown movie night back in 2018 and supporting the event’s growth over the past few years.
“This was a volunteer-driven event, and over the years many people dedicated a little of their time so the children and families could build some community,” Mullins said.
Movies on Lane has become a bit of a family event for Mullins and for many community people.
“My daughter Cassidy makes activities and decorative custom signs for the events,” she said. “Amanda Shimborske who also works out at the pool (Blissfield Aquatic Center) and with several youth groups does so much for the young people in our town. Amanda's kids have volunteered for the past several years. But so many things have changed so much over seven years.
“... Everything has its time, and this is the end of the line. I know I will be feeling sentimental on Thursday.”
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Here’s what’s been shown at Movies on Lane over the years
If you’re curious about what films have been shown in downtown Blissfield over the years as part of Movies on Lane, look no further.
2018: A League of Their Own, Wonder, The Goonies.
2019: A Dog’s Way Home, Instant Family, Coco.
2020 (COVID-19 drive-in): Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Jumanji: Next Level, The Lion King (remake).
2021: Little Rascals Save the Day, The Croods: A New Age, Black Panther.
2022: Space Jam 2, Home Alone, Sing 2.
2023: Minions: Rise of Gru, Addams Family 2, Super Mario Bros.
2024: Lilo & Stitch, Jurassic Park, Up.
— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Movies on Lane summer programming coming to an end in Blissfield
